Paths Of Glory

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Film Description

Banned in France on political grounds for 18 years, this is one of Kubrick's greatest films, a searing indictment of French military incompetence and subsequent cover-up by senior officers as Douglas seeks in vain to overturn death sentences imposed on three of his blameless privates, sacrificial lambs after a disastrous assault on German lines.

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Review by CJ on 2nd June 2000

Based on a true incident during the Great War, this film is a powerful anti-war statement, revolving round the wrongful court-martial of three trench soldiers. Banned in France on political grounds for 18 years, this is one of Kubrick's greatest films, a searing indictment of French military incompetence and cover-up by senior officers as Douglas seeks in vain to overturn death sentences imposed on three of his blameless privates, sacrificial lambs after a disastrous assault on German lines. Technically a virtuoso exercise, with stunning parallel tracking shots for the battle scenes, a tightly controlled script, and an immensely powerful central performance from Douglas. The final sequence where a young woman sings to soldiers in a bar, reducing them to silence, is one of the most poignant and moving in cinema. A masterpiece.

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Review by ST on 20th June 2002

As shocking today as it was nearly 50 years previous, Kubrick’s first major movie still possesses the power to stir up anger raised by military hypocrisy.

The greatest of all anti-war messages reveals unseen depths of Kubrick’s psyche and reveals the director at his most humane in spirit and virtuoso behind the camera. Adapted from Humphrey Cobbs 1935 novel of World War I life within the disturbing hell of the French trenches. Three innocent soldiers are charged with mutiny and cowardice by the pompous generals who use them as scapegoats to cover up their tactical error on a blatant suicide mission. The soldier’s only hope of salvation from execution rests on the shoulders of their commanding officer, a lawyer in civilian life.

Although Kubrick’s movie is a grim condemnation of warfare and class division, unlike other instances of the director’s future work, Paths of Glory is injected with a vast degree of hope and optimism. Most successfully realised within the picture’s final uplifting moments.

Testament to the film’s strength is best exemplified in the fact it was banned in France 18 years and now in this post-September 11th climate, lessons will hopefully be learned by its message.

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Article - "Joseph Losey (1909 ? 1984)" by Chris Jones
Tuesday 15th June 2004

In 1984, shortly after the director’s death, critic Michel Ciment wrote the following regarding Losey’s career which in retrospect seems no less apposite to the director’s current standing. Ciment comments that “Joseph Losey lived several lives and the mass of contra...  View article in full

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This film is part of the following Film Collections

Best Anti-War Films

Including: All Quiet On The Western Front (1930), All Quiet On The Western Front (1978), Born on the Fourth of July, Casualties of War, Catch 22, Come and See, Coming Home, Das Boot, Dr Strangelove, Empire Of The Sun.

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Discovery at Marigot Bay by Moviemail

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The best of Stanley Kubrick by Deano

Only 13 feature films, but each one a classic. His unique style, and originality in his films, made him one of the most respected and controversial artists of the 20th century. He passed away in March 1999, but world can still see his masterpiece's, which will live until the end of cinema.

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